Le gossip

A number of clubs on both sides of the Channel will feel satisfied with their market moves. Late deals saw a number of France-based players make the switch to the Premier League but there has also been a number of familiar faces go the other way. Here is a pick of some of the best...

By Jonathan Johnson - @Jon_LeGossip

Last Updated: 10/09/12 2:31pm

Hazard, Barton, Lloris & Giroud all come under our man's scrutiny

Eden Hazard

So much was expected of the young Belgian when he arrived at Chelsea for the princely sum of £32million but although it is still early days in his Blues' career, the former Lille playmaker has immediately set the Premier League alight.

With one goal and four assists in just four games, the 21-year old has been a revelation so far and looks set to build on his already well-established credentials. A blossoming talent that les Dogues were aware would not stay in Ligue 1 forever, Hazard's development has been rapid and his ascension into the highest tier of European talent has been dazzling.

Since making his debut at the tender age of 16, the Belgian has accumulated five seasons of top-flight experience in France whilst debuting for Belgium's national team just a year after his professional debut. In his last two seasons for LOSC, the wizard mastered his sorcery with a pair of hugely consistent campaigns and, more crucially, UEFA Champions League experience which finally saw him complete his development.

Chelsea are now set to profit from one of Ligue 1's best ever talents.

Joey Barton

A curious transfer for many reasons, Joey Barton to Marseille represents a questionable investment from les Phoceens on a player that will be unavailable until November thanks to his European suspension and a big risk from Barton to immerse himself in a new culture.

If l'OM get the player that was so influential in his spell for Newcastle then they could uncover a new club icon but obviously question marks still remain over the player's discipline. The fact that his 12-match ban has been extended to Ligue 1 has led to widespread intrigue and debate over Barton's bad boy image, but that didn't stop the Marseille fans from giving the one-time England international a rousing reception at the Stade Velodrome prior to their game with Rennes.

Barton said at his unveiling: "I'm happy to have the opportunity to play for a great club like Marseille. When my agent told me about Marseille's interest, I didn't have to think twice. From the moment I was told, I wanted to come."

Ousmane Dabo has been quick to remind the French media of his run-in with the Merseysider but otherwise he has been warmly welcomed to France. He now has two months to get in shape so that he is ready to play once his ban expires in November and a motivated Barton would be an asset to Marseille.

Hugo Lloris

Hugo Lloris' long-awaited transfer to Tottenham finally went through at the end of the transfer window but the France international faces a challenge to oust veteran Brad Friedel from the first team.

Didier Deschamps has expressed his concern that his number one and captain may not get as much first team football as he did with Lyon, but Lloris is confident he has made the right choice in joining Spurs and the move has long been in the offing. An obvious talent when he made his breakthrough with Nice, the 25-year old became an integral part of Lyon's team during his four-year spell at the Stade Gerland and developed a reputation as one of Europe's most reliable goalkeepers despite an absence of silverware to his name.

Although in the short-term it may prove difficult to replace Friedel, the sands of time will surely tell for the American and Lloris will be first choice as of next season if not immediately. A superb signing from Andre Villas-Boas, the Frenchman will prove his worth when given the chance and a change of surroundings and the added challenge of EPL football could see him thrive further.

Olivier Giroud

Last season's breakout star and the revelation behind Montpellier's surprise title triumph is taking his time to settle with Arsenal but the France international is a coup for Arsene Wenger's men and a prolific goal threat.

Following a meteoric rise to the summit of domestic football in France, Giroud eventually got his chance for les Bleus and now looks set to become Didier Deschamps' main striker following Karim Benzema's failure to shine at Euro 2012. Seen as a direct replacement for Robin Van Persie but a different type of player to the Dutchman, Giroud will enable Arsenal's attacking style to become more direct given time and his ability to provide goals as well as score them makes him a valuable addition to the team.

One of the biggest transfers from Ligue 1 to the Premier League in recent years, the former Tours striker has an immediate chance to revisit his former stomping ground after Arsenal drew Montpellier in the group stages of the Champions League. Returning to Stade de la Mosson on September 18, it is the perfect opportunity for Giroud to rediscover his golden touch.

Salomon Kalou

Lille's capture of the former Chelsea striker is a sign that Ligue 1 is improving in terms of being able to lure Premier League talent to the other side of the Channel. Kalou left the 2012 Champions League winners after six years of service that saw him lift eight trophies for the Blues. Now with les Dogues, the Ivorian finds himself on the familiar stage of Champions League football again and will be aiming to make an impact on this year's competition in the club's brand new stadium.

Cesar Azpilicueta

Despite an injury-hit spell with Marseille, the Spanish right-back was a talented member of an underperforming outfit when he played. Classy, composed on the ball and possessing good balance between attacking and defence, Azpilicueta is a bargain for Roberto Di Matteo's men at just over £7million. A victim of les Phoceens' cost-cutting measures, the international will be sorely missed in Provence as they embrace life in the shadow of Paris Saint-Germain's big-spending ways. Azpilicueta though will relish the step up to the Premier League and the promise of regular Champions League football.

Best of the Rest

Elsewhere, one of Ligue 1's most promising teams made waves on transfer deadline day. FC Lorient snapped up former Chelsea target Benjamin Corgnet from Dijon as well as securing promising midfielder Enzo Reale, a Lyon youth product. Part of that deal saw former Portsmouth midfielder Arnold Mvuemba join les Gones on a busy final day in France. Corgnet joins former Newcastle United target Alain Traore, who has made a flying start to life with les Merlus who currently sit third in Ligue 1 having already taken four points from last season's top two: Montpellier and PSG.

Other reported Premier League targets Aly Cissokho and Stephane Mbia finally got their dream moves but only one player ended up with an EPL club. Mbia adds bite to QPR's midfield whilst Spurs and Newcastle lost out to Valencia for the eventual signature of Lyon's Cissokho.

To replace the Frenchman, Lyon moved quickly to sign Nice's Fabian Monzon with Jeremy Pied going the other way. Milan Bisevac has also arrived from PSG as one of the first casualties of the capital club's summer spending spree with long-serving defender Cris departing for Galatasaray having been part of the furniture at Stade Gerland for over eight years. PSG themselves beat off a host of European competitiors to sign Holland international full-back Gregory Van der Wiel from Ajax.